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Angels could sweep awards with Trout, Weaver

Angels could sweep awards with Trout, Weaver

Mike Trout

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ANAHEIM -- When Angels manager Mike Scioscia addressed the media prior to Saturday's game against the Mariners, the vast majority of the questions centered on just two of his players: Jered Weaver and Mike Trout.

That shouldn't come as a surprise.

With that pair, the Angels could have some pretty cool history on their hands.

No team has ever had a Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winner the same year -- and near mid-August, the Angels have a good shot.

The 21-year-old Trout is basically a lock to be named the American League's best rookie, after winning Rookie of the Month honors three times in a row, and he is considered an MVP favorite while leading the AL in batting average (.345), stolen bases (36), runs (88), OPS-plus (183) and Wins Above Replacement (7.0).

Everyone knew about his speed.

Few thought he could put it together in the batter's box this quickly.

"Forget the age," Scioscia said, "you don't see many guys any age that can control the zone like he can, that can drive the ball out to any part of the ballpark, turn a ground ball to short into a single, can get a bunt down if needed, can work a count, can do just so many things. He's just a special offensive player right now."

Then there's Weaver, who leads the AL in wins (15), ERA (2.13) and WHIP (0.92) in a season that also saw him throw a no-hitter. He's won each of his past 10 decisions -- spanning 12 starts -- and is the first pitcher since the Brooklyn Dodgers' Don Newcombe (1955) to go 15-1 in his first 20 starts.

A lot can change over the next seven-plus weeks, of course, but right now it seems the biggest competition for Trout and Weaver comes from the Tigers. Third baseman Miguel Cabrera came into Saturday batting .323 with 29 homers and an AL-leading 96 RBIs, while ace Justin Verlander came into his Saturday start 12-7 with a 2.51 ERA, 166 strikeouts and an AL-best six complete games.